Wine Bar Review: Vin Ga
If you’re looking for a wine bar with style, sophistication and a wine list with breadth and depth, then this is the place for you. Sure, it’s pricey—but intelligent service, a live jazz band and Apgujeong real estate don’t come cheap.
The interior of Vin Ga is designed to emulate a “wine cave” with plenty of brick and wood and warm lightning. It’s a lovely interpretation of a wine cellar, but it’s a bit short on charm. There are just too many hard surfaces, although the racks of bottles in the cellar are pleasing to the eye. They have a private room available, which could come in handy for tastings with friends or corporate dinners. There’s live music every evening including good jazz. Thankfully, the performance won’t drown out your conversation.
Vin Ga is located in the basement of Podo Plaza in the Apgujeong area of Seoul, which houses the Korean branch of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust wine school, a wine shop and a culinary academy in addition to the wine bar. Vin Ga offers the standard variety of side dishes, salads and cheese and fruit platters. They don’t do dinner; the focus here is on wine after dark. Stick to the basic cheese platter to avoid ridiculous prices.
The staff here are well-trained, fluent in English, and know how to think on their feet most of the time. The wine list is formidable for the average drinker, but the staff are quick to help out with a recommendation. Classy and refined, this wine bar is all about business. If you’re entertaining clients with expensive tastes, Vin Ga is the perfect choice. Be sure to book ahead for a Friday or Saturday night.
It’s easier to drive there, but Vin Ga is also accessible by subway. Take ex. 2 out of Apgujeong St. (line 3) and hang an immediate left, right, and left. Stay on this street until you pass the middle school on your left and reach the main road. Podo Plaza is the distinctive building just across the street. It’s open from 6 pm to 2 am every day but Sunday. 02-516-1761, Podo plaza 634-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. podoplaza.co.kr by Joshua Hall
Duckhorn Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2006 is a sexy wine from the Anderson Valley north of San Francisco. It’s firm and rich with lush cherries and molten density. There are cinnamon, dried herb and orange zest flavours with a hint of cedar. It needs time but is a real treat now. Wine Spectator gave it 90 points and I would agree with that. This good pinot goes for a mean W190,000 a bottle, but it’s worth it if you love Pinot as much as I do.
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